Today’s car shoppers aren’t just using Google. They’re comparing dealerships in Maps, reading reviews, asking ChatGPT, and researching across multiple platforms before they ever submit a lead. Our Automotive SEO strategies help your dealership show up where buyers are actually searching, not just where yesterday’s playbook says you should be.
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Today’s shoppers don’t start at the dealership; they start online. They compare dealerships, read reviews, browse inventory, and ask AI tools for recommendations before they ever submit a lead. That’s why SearchLab focuses on helping dealerships earn visibility throughout the entire research journey.
Many dealerships are stuck with cookie-cutter automotive SEO strategies dictated by OEM programs, outdated best practices, or agencies that haven’t evolved their approach in years.
That’s why we’re intentionally not a part of any OEM programs. Those programs often force agencies to follow the same playbook, even when it’s not what’s best for your market.
At SearchLab, we don’t rely on 5-year-old best practices or cookie-cutter SEO. Google changes, AI changes, and Local SEO changes. The strategies that worked a few years ago won’t necessarily work today.
Your dealership deserves strategies backed by research, not assumptions or old playbooks. Each of our recommendations is tested, measured, and built around what actually drives visibility today.
Our team has published the three largest automotive SEO studies in history, has the industry’s only Google Business Profile Product Expert on the team, and regularly shares our research on stages around the world.
We don’t follow automotive SEO best practices. We create them.
Our team has spoken at NADA, Digital Dealer, DMSC, and dozens of other automotive conferences. Car dealers aren’t a side hustle for us, they’re our specialty.
When you partner with SearchLab, we won’t work with another same-brand dealership in your city (unless they’re part of the same dealer group). There are only so many opportunities to earn visibility in local search, and we believe our loyalty should be to your dealership, not your competitor’s.
That means every strategy, recommendation, and optimization is focused on helping your dealership earn more visibility, attract more qualified shoppers, and outperform the competition, without divided priorities or conflicting interests.
increase in new leads
Stivers Ford Montgomery
Their site was bloated with AI-generated content, confusing geo-targeting, and weak calls to action. We rebuilt their content strategy around real search intent and created pages focused on Montgomery shoppers.
What we did:
The results:
It’s all too common: An OEM-approved vendor promised you amazing SEO, delivered a few generic reports, took your money for a year, and somehow your sales stayed flatlined.
SearchLab was created in 2017 because our CEO, Mark Bealin, wanted to build an agency that does things differently. No more cookie-cutter strategies, no more empty excuses, and no more vague explanations.
In 2019, we hired automotive SEO expert Greg Gifford and refocused on SEO for car dealers. Ever since, we’ve won multiple awards for our automotive SEO work and released the largest automotive SEO study ever conducted.
We focus on outcomes, not vanity metrics, and make decisions based on data and research, not gut feelings. We value the mutually beneficial long-term relationships with the dealerships we work with.
We analyzed 2,260 dealership Google Business Profiles across 20 U.S. cities to uncover the hard truth: most dealers are still getting the basics wrong, and the ones at the top are executing smarter.
This is the largest automotive GBP study ever conducted, built to show you what’s working and what isn’t. Inside, you’ll see where dealerships are losing customers every day and the simple actions the #1 dealers are taking to win more leads and sales.
This report covers:
We’ll audit your visibility, identify the gaps, and show you exactly what it takes to start winning in local search.
Get Your Free Dealership SEO AuditOr call us +1 (312) 256-1574
Most OEM-approved website vendors offer basic SEO that’s usually handled by junior staff managing 50+ dealerships at once. They follow generic playbooks that don’t account for your specific market, your brand, or your competition. We build custom strategies with proven results for your dealership so you don’t have to worry.
Yes. We’ve worked with Dealer.com, CDK, DealerOn, Dealer Inspire, and most other major providers. Some platforms have more limitations than others, but we know how to optimize within whatever constraints exist. If your platform is genuinely holding you back, we’ll tell you honestly.
Every business and every market is unique, but for most dealerships, you can start to see traction within 6 to 8 months, with more significant gains happening around 12 to 14 months and beyond.
It depends on your setup, your market competition, and how much work needs to be done on your current site. We’ll help you figure out what makes sense for your situation.
We are not in any of the OEM programs, but we are happy to provide paperwork so you can apply for reimbursement.
Curious about co-oping our service? Talk to us about using our co-op partner who may be able to help you get reimbursement if we are not in your OEM program.
Yes. You own all of your digital properties. We will never hold you hostage by taking ownership of something that should be yours.
Local customers are searching for your services right now. We help businesses show up first through proven local marketing strategies. Our team creates customized plans that fit your budget and goals. We start with a comprehensive analysis
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